Summary

Medical Instrument Technicians function proficiently in all aspects of the Cardiac Cath and Electrophysiology Labs and Hybrid Suite.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• Education
• There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or Certification Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation
• however - it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
• For certain functional areas at the higher levels
• Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument (Cardiac Catheterization) GS-5 Trainee Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled
• This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR Education
• Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation - or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• 2
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• 3
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities
• 4
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures
• 5
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• Assignment
• Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee) at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision
• The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help
• Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area
• Such duties would be performed under closer supervision
• GS-6 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of cardiac anatomy - physiology - and basic electrocardiography
• 2
• Knowledge of sterile techniques - catheterization laboratory supplies - and equipment used in the procedures
• 3
• Ability to circulate - assist - monitor - and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure
• 4
• Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• Assignment
• The cardiac catheterization technician at this level aids physicians in aspects of cardiac catheterization and related invasive procedures such as coronary angioplasty - pulmonary angioplasty - and intra-aortic balloon insertion
• The technician must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and take appropriate action
• GS-7 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters
• 2
• Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedures
• 3
• Ability to complete individual cases by pulling sheaths and holding pressure to obtain hemostasis
• 4
• Ability to assist with closure devices
• 5
• Ability to appropriately educate patients and patient families regarding procedures and post catheterization care
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Assignment
• Cardiac catheterization technicians at this level aid physicians in all aspects of standard cardiac catheterization and related invasive procedures such as coronary angioplasty - pulmonary angioplasty - and intra-aortic balloon insertion
• They select - set up - and calibrate surgical instruments - catheters - radiographic contrast injectors - and radiographic imaging devices
• They prepare cardiac medication for administration by the physician and must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and take appropriate action
• GS-8 Full Performance Level Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Ability to scrub - circulate - and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include rotoblation - intravascular ultrasound - RADI or wave-wire - angiojet - filter wires - myocardial biopsies EPS - permanent pacemaker insertions - AICD insertions - and biventricular pacemaker insertion
• 2
• Advanced knowledge of equipment - medications - and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set-up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot this equipment
• 3
• Knowledge and understanding of wave forms from the great vessels and all chambers of the heart including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician of an impending life-threatening situation
• 4
• Knowledge of quality control and performance improvement indicators for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ability to prepare and analyze quality control of test results
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Assignment
• This represents the full performance level
• Cardiac catheterization technicians at this level function as full members of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Team
• They scrub - circulate - operate equipment - etc. - on the most complex examination and treatment procedures including procedures such as endocardial biopsy - radio frequency ablation procedures - and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy for very critical patients
• They prepare and administer cardiac medications as directed by the attending physician
• They mentor and train lower graded technicians - nurses - nursing students - and cardiopulmonary technology students on cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities
• Titles and Certification/Registration: All individual assigned to this occupation at the GS-6/7/8 level should have an approved parenthetical title in Cardiac Catheterization-Submit Documentation if Applicable
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 29 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be June 5 - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 10th of each month
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until the position(s) are filled
• Duties Include - but are not limited to: Knowledge of Cardiac anatomy - physiology - and basic electrocardiography
• Knowledge of sterile techniques - catheterization laboratory supplies - and equipment used in the procedures
• Ability to circulate - assist monitor - and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure
• Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters
• Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters
• Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedures
• Ability to complete individual cases by pulling sheaths and holding pressure to obtain hemostasis
• Ability to assist with closure devices
• Ability to appropriately educate patients and patient families regarding procedures and post-catheterization care
• Ability to scrub - circulate - and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include - intravascular ultrasound - Impella - angiojet - filter wires - myocardial biopsies EPS - permanent pacemaker insertions - AICD insertions - and biventricular pacemaker insertion
• Advanced knowledge of equipment - medications - and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set-up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot the equipment
• Knowledge and understanding of wave forms from the great vessels and all chambers of the heart including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician of the impending life-threatening situation
• Knowledge of quality control and performance improvement indicators for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ability to prepare and analyze quality control of test results
• Work Schedule: 4 days a week - 7am to 5:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized Relocation Incentive (Relocation Bonus): May be Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55449F - 55463F - 50132F - 50133F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized